The Horticultural Research Institute has introduced "Trek de Hort II: A Celebration of Horticulture," a new campaign that will commemorate HRI's 50-year anniversary.
Created by visionary leaders of the American Nursery & Landscape Association in 1962, HRI has ensured the success of the green industry by supporting invaluable research.
The Trek de Hort II: A Celebration of Horticulture campaign's goal is to raise more than $500,000 in 2012 to enhance HRI's legacy of supporting research projects throughout the United States. HRI is seeking participants to "trek" by creating their own fundraising events and encourages all to donate to the trek of their choice. Complete trek information is found on the new HRI website: www.TrekdeHort.org.
Several industry members have already created unique events that will assist HRI in reaching its fundraising challenge for example, Dan Batson of GreenForest Nursery in Perkinston, Miss., has created a challenge fundraiser to raise $50,000 from the green industry in Ala., La., and Miss. GreenForest will match these donations up to $100,000.
Todd Davis, publisher of Nursery Management magazine (a sister publication of Garden Center) has created the, Todd is the Biggest Loser Trek. Davis has challenged himself to lose weight while raising awareness about the importance of horticulture and HRI. He is seeking donations in support of his efforts by taking donations based on the amount of pounds he sheds. Davis will announce his results in January 2013.
Stephanie Stockton of ANLA in Washington, D.C., created the Haircut for Horticulture Trek in which she cut 12 inches of hair in support of not only HRI but cancer awareness. "Ultimately, I cut 12 inches of hair to donate so that a someone battling cancer can wear a natural wig to provide comfort and confidence during the most challenging fight of their lives," Stockton said. "I am extremely thankful, however, that I could be a part of a larger trek to benefit our green industry and others battling cancer."
Bill D. Wells Jr. of W. D. Wells & Associates located in West Grove, Pa., will travel to South Africa, where he will attempt to photograph each of the 'BIG FIVE' African wild animals. These include elephants, leopards, rhinos, buffalos and hippopotamus. His trek, The BIG FIVE Safari Camera Hunt Trek de Hort, will raise funds based on his photography success.
HRI's mission is to direct, fund, promote and communicate horticultural research, which increases the quality and value of ornamental plants, improves the productivity and profitability of the nursery and landscape industry, and protects and enhances the environment. HRI is an IRS-recognized 501(c) (3) tax-exempt research and educational foundation. To learn more about HRI visit www.HRIResearch.org.